Law Council calls on COAG leaders to seize historic opportunity to reduce family violence
The Law Council of Australia is calling upon the Council of Australian Governments to seize the opportunity for intergovernmental action following the release of the Victorian Royal Commission Report into Family Violence. Law Council of Australia President Stuart Clark AM said a number of the report’s recommendations could be seized on by COAG leaders, including:…
Presentation of Lotterywest grant certificate to the Law Society of Western Australia
The Law Society of Western Australia will be formally presented with a grant certificate by Lotterywest next month. The ceremony will take place at the Old Court House Law Museum in Perth on Tuesday, 12 April 2016 at around 11.15am. Eleni Evangel MLA, the Member for Perth, will present the grant certificate to Elizabeth Needham,…
Self-defence in the criminal law of Western Australia
In light of recent media reports, it is important to provide clarification on the concept of self-defence, which is well-established in the criminal law of Western Australia. Law Society President Elizabeth Needham said, “The rationale behind self-defence is obvious: a person should not be punished for defending themselves against an unjustified attack. However, in each…
Law Society congratulates The Hon Justice Carmel McLure on induction into WA Women’s Hall of Fame
The Law Society of Western Australia extends its congratulations to The Hon Justice Carmel McLure on her induction into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame. The Hon Justice McLure is a Life Member of the Law Society, having joined back in 1980. The WA Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 2011, in recognition of…
International Women’s Day 2016 sees legal profession in unprecedented push to improve inclusiveness and diversity
The Law Council of Australia has taken International Women’s Day to shine a light on the unprecedented push by the legal profession to take practical action to improve inclusiveness and diversity. In 2014, the Law Council’s landmark National Attrition and Re-engagement study (NARS) showed that while 63 per cent of lawyers admitted to the profession…
Law Council calls for amendments to the Migration Act before Federal election
The Law Council of Australia’s president-elect, Fiona McLeod SC, has used an address at the 2016 CPD Immigration Law Conference to call on the federal government to dismantle the dual regulation of migration lawyers before Parliament is prorogued for this year’s federal election. Last year, the federal government endorsed most of the recommendations made by…
Law Society congratulates Alan Troy on appointment as District Court Judge
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Alan Troy on his appointment as a Judge of the District Court of Western Australia. Mr Troy has had a long and distinguished career as a legal practitioner, most recently as a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers. Law Society President, Elizabeth Needham said, “I have no doubt Mr…
Law Society congratulates Rick O’Brien on Family Court appointment
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Rick O’Brien on his appointment as a Judge of the Family Court of Western Australia. Mr O’Brien has been a member of the Law Society since he was admitted to practice in 1983. He is a member of the Law Society’s Professional Conduct Committee and of the Senior…
Law Society supports gender equality across the legal profession
The Law Society sees the promotion of gender equality across the legal profession, including in our State’s Judiciary, as an important part of its commitment to the Law Council of Australia’s Diversity and Equality Charter, which commits the legal profession to the promotion of equality, diversity, respect and inclusion regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality or…
Law Society calls on Government to replace Supreme Court Judges
The Law Society of Western Australia is concerned by the Government’s announcement that Justice Ralph Simmonds will not be replaced when he retires in June 2016. The Courts have had 21 judges for the past decade and with increases in population during this time, the number of judges required to ensure justice is not delayed…
Law Society welcomes support programme for Aboriginal people in custody
The Law Society of Western Australia welcomes the recent announcement by the State Government of a new programme to reduce the potential for suicide or self-harm among Aboriginal people in custody. The Law Society understands that the programme will include a new free advice number which may be utilised by Aboriginal people in custody and…
Committee report on Counter-Terrorism Bill welcome, however concerns remain
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s (PJCIS) report on the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2015 is a welcome step, but concerns remain and should be carefully addressed by Parliament, according to the Law Council of Australia. The changes proposed by the Bill are significant and, if enacted, would include: permitting control orders for children as…
